We had to make a reservation to enter the beach area. It was $6 per vehicle. There are a lots of parking spaces. The gentlemen who did our reservation checked in were super kind and resourceful on where to park. It was a straight shot to walking on the beach. They had showers & clean bathrooms to use. read more

Henderson Beach State Park - Beautiful - Beaches Near Me - Destin, Florida

Lots of parking, clean beach, and plenty of space when we went in October. The showers are out in the open, but was great to clean off the sand from our feet. No soap is allowed while showering. We went twice and the first time the gate attendant was a volunteer and the second time a ranger. Both times were very pleasant. I would visit again for a Destin trip. The parking is easy, the water is beautiful, and the sandbar is great for kids. read more

Henderson Beach State Park - Sandbar not too far past the shore. - Beaches Near Me - Destin, Florida

Pay to get in, buuuut plenty of parking and bathrooms available. They have rinse-off stations but they're basically low pressure misters. Only 2 out of 3 were working when we went and because of the low pressure, there was a long line of people waiting their turn to rinse off. There is zero shade here so definitely bring umbrella or some sort of shade option because the sun is brutal! The water though? Absolutely perfect! Crystal clear, refreshing swim with very mellow waves. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit and will definitely visit again! read more

Henderson Beach State Park - Beaches Near Me - Destin, Florida

Wow, first time to Destin looked up what everybody said was a great beach to go to showed up. We didn't have a reservation now you need a reservation to go to the beach. They turned us away. Nobody was friendly. I asked if I could just pull over to the side and try to search up a new beach to go to. They said no I have to leave the park.. I can't tell you if it's a nice beach or not because we weren't allowed in. Make sure you get a reservation good luck they said they were full on a Tuesday at 10 AM. read more

The most beautiful beach in Florida hands down! The sand is soft and powdery white , the water is so clear and turquoise and the sunrise and sunset are magical. I could stay here all day every day. Swimming in the ocean was relaxing , no seaweed or jelly fish anywhere in sight. Just tons of dolphins playing ! There are parking areas near by with restrooms and shower areas. If you've never been to Destin, you are certainly missing out. Prettiest beach in the United States for sure and I've been too over 40! read more

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Stopped by Henderson Beach State Park for a post breakfast beach stroll. The beach is stunning. The sand is soft, the water is clear, and the views made for a serene walk. They have some covered picnic areas with tables if you are looking to enjoy a picnic with a view. There are boardwalks taking you down to the beach and then the beach is wide, offering plenty of space for walking, sunbathing, or tossing a frisbee. It's a few dollars to get into the park (worth it). The parking was convenient to the beach. We were there in January and the beach wasn't crowded at all. It was glorious! Get to it! read more

Henderson Beach State Park - Beaches Near Me - Destin, Florida

We came here for a turtle release and enjoyed it very much! The release was at 9am and we knew we needed to get there early but wow, the line was down the street from the main entrance on both sides, making the entrance to the booth where you pay tedious. It was $6 per carload and we found parking easily in the large lot. There were three main access points to the sand and the release was happening at the one nearest to the front gate. It was a short walk from our parking spot as we were parked just past the second access point. The set up was wonderful and sand and water temperature great! People were lined up and respectful and the turtle release was beautiful. I can see how this would be a great beach to spend the day at. read more

Took a day trip here from 30A as the sargassum was so bad at the beach near our rental house. We were told this place fills up fast so to get there early. We got there about an hour after it opened at 9 and it was not busy at all. Maybe because we were there in August? This is great for a day trip. There is a fee of $6 per vehicle to go in. Lots of amenities like parking, restrooms, showers (outdoor, not private) and picnic tables. The beach was pristine and no seaweed, but I'm sure that can vary with the weather and ocean conditions. It really is the perfect type of beach you expect to see when visiting the Florida panhandle. read more

Henderson Beach State Park - Perfect beach - Beaches Near Me - Destin, Florida

Who wouldn't love a getaway to the Emerald Coast? Our time in Destin, Florida was absolutely incredible. The beach was everything we hoped for--clear, emerald-green water, soft white sand, and a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere. The waves were gentle, the water was warm, and the conditions were perfect for lounging, swimming, and soaking in the sun. We were able to enjoy the beach from morning to evening without a single complaint. It felt like a little slice of paradise right here in Florida. Whether you're traveling as a couple, a family, or just looking for a peaceful solo retreat, Destin's Emerald Coast is a must-visit destination for beach lovers. read more

Great beach!! Sand pretty no shells, water pretty. you will enjoy yourself!! Relaxing read more

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We walked over to Henderson Beach State Park right as the sun was setting. I was about to get a few pictures of the sunset on the beach. Blueish Green water mixed with soft white sand. It was very beautiful and romantic. It made sense why a couple was talking their wedding pictures there. We came back the next more to see the sunrise. We ended up seeing Dolphins swimming in the area for at least 30 minutes. Great way to start the day! read more

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Destin, Florida is a city in NW Florida located in the Panhandle. They have gained notoriety as the beaches are magical with Emerald Waters and Powdery White Sand. Interesting fact, the sand is that way from granite deposits that flow from North GA and beyond all the way down into the Gulf as silt. Because of the beaches, the area attracts more and more tourist every year and IMO is getting more luxurious as the years go by. I've noticed better restaurants, more aesthetically pleasing looking buildings and just a more upscale feel with each visit. I'm writing this here because I noticed many of the beaches along the 6 mile coast are PRIVATE. I'm not sure which beach to actually post this review but I find that simply horrible, ridiculous, backwards and restrictive! Who adds gates with Codes to a beach?!?! I can understand a handful of properties and major resorts but to secure majority of the coastline with Controlled Access? In my particular visit I stayed at a resort and had the codes for entry/exit but found many people having difficulty simply getting to the beach! I don't think they knew the beaches would have controlled Access! Even to exit, you need a code! That's shameful! It was frustrating to see people struggle with umbrellas/coolers and chairs only to have to find the Public Beach and have to walk back to their car. May I add the city also doesn't have any form of boardwalk to enjoy a long walk down the coast or some form of transportation to maneuver the public/private beaches! You're basically on your own! I'm curious Who/When/How that got approved because that's definitely some backwards N. Florida, My Property, ME, ME, ME planning! I'm not a resident but I believe some things on this planet are public and Imo a beach is one of them! Plus their has to be better ways to protect and maintain these beaches than blocking them off from the general public. Any who, for anybody planning a Trip to Destin, Please do your homework! Visit the website below which has hyperlinks for all the beaches which explains access points/fees/sizes of the beach and more details. I'll also attach a picture which shows a few of the main Public Beaches. It does appear the largest beach is Henderson Beach with1.22 miles of shoreline. Seems like the general "Dump the masses" area. The others are significantly smaller! smh. Any who I hope this helps! One Last detail, We had many umbrellas and chairs however this was literally the 1st beach that didn't have Umbrellas for sale on the beach. It's just very restrictive down there and is worthy of a review! https://www.cityofdestin.com/281/Beach-Information read more

Henderson Beach State Park - Beaches Near Me - Destin, Florida

Plenty of parking and bathrooms and clean but deserted beach. This beach has accessible access. read more

Henderson Beach State Park - Beaches Near Me - Destin, Florida

I had so much fun during my visit here. The water was beautiful. My friend snd I enjoyed it and we would recommend visiting. read more

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Henderson Beach State Park (H B S P) is a great place to visit for picnicking, just beaching/ beach activities, or nature trail walk. H B S P opened in 1991. It has boardwalks to the beach, campsites, picnic area, playground, natural trail, and a couple of big parking lots. The beach of H B S P is over a mile long with pristine, sugary white sand and greenish blue gulf water. It is beautiful. The nature trail is a serene 3/4 mile stretch of land with grassy dunes, sandy walking trail, and plants and trees native to the area. The state park and the beach areas are well maintained and clean. There are rinse off shower stations as well. The beach security personnel occasionally take a stroll in their vehicle, keeping an eye out for public safety. The state park is a controlled area whereby you have to pay for parking ($6), and there are state park personnel on site. The $6 parking fee is valid for one whole day from the time the park opens to its closure in the evening. You also get in & out privileges with the receipt of your parking pass. I had a great time visiting H B S P, and I'd definitely go back here if I were to visit Destin, FL. read more

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The white sand beach is beautiful! We came out on a weekday morning and had plenty of parking and beach spots to choose from. read more

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Henderson Beach State Park was the perfect spot for a short trip to Destin. Parking was only $4 and there were showers and picnic table to use. There is a charming little nature walk to get from the parking lot to the beach. The natural beauty of the beach grass and soft waves crashing set the tone for a calm day by the water. The beach itself is stunning. Even in late July it wasn't super crowded. The white sand is soft and the crystal clear water has the green glow that the Emerald Coast is known for. You can even see schools of tiny fish swimming around you! This park offers a great blend of tranquility, natural beauty, and easy access. Highly recommend for families, couples, or anyone wanting a break from the busier public beaches. read more

HBSP is a beautiful beach. The water is clear bluish green. And the sand is truly soft and white. You can not bring any alcohol to the state park, but going early and getting a spot- you don't need alcohol- just a beautiful beach. It does get crowed fast, so you must get there early. There are no vendors near the beach, but Walmart is across the street- just stop there before driving through the gate. The cost to enter is $6, I had a vehicle of 6 people. I recommend this beach over Miramar Beach! read more

Great beach with plenty of parking. (Holidays, probably not) Clean beautiful white sand and blue water.

Was in from Texas and I wanted to go to a recommended beach. This was perfect! I went to pavilion B. It had clean restrooms, water for your water bottle, showers to rinse off and you can walk just a little further away from the pavilion and you have the beach all to yourself!! read more

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When people say 'white beach,' they really mean it--pure white sand, beautiful water, and a great ocean view. Just park your car for $6 and enjoy the whole day! read more

Solid beach and clean facilities. You're hear for one reason - to swim. If you can't swim or at the very least enjoy the warm sand then this isn't worth visiting. There is a nature trail but otherwise it's a beach only park. You'll find pavilions with picnic tables and restrooms for day use. Campgrounds have a dedicated area. Showers are available, but don't use soaps in the day use rinse area. Entry costs $6 per vehicle as of December 2023. read more

Henderson Beach State Park - Beaches Near Me - Destin, Florida

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Parking is $5, great access to the beach with facilities to rinse off. Paved parking so you don't have to worry about getting stuck in the sand. read more

Beautiful beach, ample parking, and very affordable. I believe it was $6/vehicle regardless of occupants, when we visited in May 2023. While our resort had a private beach complete with complimentary chairs and umbrellas we choose to come here. It had a natural landscape, clean restrooms, and covered pavilion for eating lunch. The beach was super clean and had a nice boardwalk to access the sand, complete with a slope for strollers. There were foot and shower faucets and natural sand dunes to admire, with the cutest tiny flowers. The water was so aqua blue it almost felt unreal. This was one of the most beautiful beaches we have ever been to, especially since the white sand does not get hot, and the water refreshing but not cold. While it did attract a crowd as the day went on the beach never felt overly crowded and everyone could spread out. I liked that the distance from our car to the beach was a short walk, especially with all of our beach gear in tow. There was a small playground off the one parking lot geared towards smaller kids which was nice. If you save your receipt, you can leave and come back that same day without paying PROVIDED they did not reach max capacity. Be aware that returning is not guaranteed. I did not see any lifeguards. There is also a campground opposite from the public beach which we did not go to. I do wish there were more trash cans in place as there were none on the beach, the boardwalk access, or at the pavilion itself. read more

Henderson Beach State Park - Beaches Near Me - Destin, Florida

Hidden Gem and I'm not gatekeeping. Destin, Florida known for their emerald green waters and sandy white beaches. With that being said, everyone flocks there to soak up the sun with amazing views. I'm a Houstonian and used to our Galveston beaches, where you're allowed to drive up and do whatever the heck you want--- don't think about doing that in Destin. Everything is park and walk. Good luck to you with finding public parking. This is why I highly rate Henderson Beach State Park. Entry is $6 per vehicle (up to six persons). It seems to be less crowded because of the entry fee. Bring a wagon of some sort to carry all of your items or if you want to get in an extra extra work out--- carry all your stuff. The sand is so soft, your legs have to work harder to get to where you're going. Make sure you're looking out for the beach warning flags before getting into the water. After you're all done, there's a rinse off spot at the end of the pier. You can leave most of the sand at the beach ;) Throw on some sunscreen and visit. It's so worth it!!! read more

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Fabulous beach! Gorgeous water, gorgeous sand. Wash off stations can be found. Definitely worth the bucks to get in if you family can stay the course or survive the heat, mine couldn't. read more

Henderson Beach State Park - Beaches Near Me - Destin, Florida

Probably one of the nicest beaches in the world! However, the potential for peace and serenity is ruined by tourist helicopters flying 20 - 40 trips up and down the beach daily - directly over the beach. Their base is adjacent to the beach. You'd think they would require them to fly straight out and then parallel the beach a half mile out or so. Sure, there are other, occasional aircraft going up and down the beach but the helicopters are constant. The approach to the Destin Airport is close but it is put over the water. We were thinking of buying a house here but we are now looking further east of Destin. read more

Casual beach restaurant with great, fast service. The food was very good. Nice views of the ocean.

Love it here! The beach is so nice! I've been here twice now, both on Saturday mornings before 10:00am. I didn't have any trouble finding parking or a place to settle in. The park is well-kept and clean. There are restrooms and showers at well-placed intervals in the park. They have beach chairs and umbrellas to rent ($40/day for a set - 2 chairs, 1 umbrella) on the beach and a souvenir/supply/snack truck in the parking lot. I'm told it gets pretty crowded much after 10:00 during peak season. Cars were lining up when we arrived. They have one person taking the $6/car fee. If you're using a credit card, you're slowing the whole process down. Having just moved to the area, this will now become our "go-to" beach when we want to visit Destin! read more

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Visiting the Henderson Beach State park twice was a very good experience. The staff was very friendly and helpful when asking questions about park hours and what to expect from visiting the park. The entrance fee is only $6.00 dollars which is a fair price. There is a nature trail and beach access. Plenty of parking, showers and restrooms. Clean beach. We highly recommend this State park! read more

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My husband and stayed September 17th-21st and every day we spent it right here! It's a $6 day pass for a party of 2 in one vehicle. No pets are allowed on the beach, but pets are allowed into the park. They have a small, wonderful nature trail behind the beach where you can take them to explore. The beach is taken care of! The bathrooms are clean, the showers by the beach work great... except people can't learn to shut the water off! Even on a cloudy day, this beach has so much to offer. The best beach in Destin! read more

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Beautifully kept park with lots of restrooms and cleanest beach anywhere! So close to town and only $6 entry per car! read more

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I love this place They keep it clean and nice My family love this place 10/10 must recommend read more

It's another beautiful Destin-ish beach with a place to shower after beaching or fishing. I fished there and caught some beautiful Whiting and took a swim to beat the heat. There's a nominal tab to enter, but good parking. And there are not as many people on the beach here, so you can social distance plus...... read more

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So pretty and peaceful. You do have to pay to get into the area but definitely a must see while in the area! There was also a wheelchair ramp on one of the three entryways for the beach area. It was part of the restroom area. Nice restrooms and sitting area. If you have time to stop by, I would highly suggest that. read more

Henderson Beach State Park - A little cloudy and stormy this day but still so nice. - Beaches Near Me - Destin, Florida

Very nice public beach with surprisingly cheap entry fee. Ironically enough, we would come here to the "public" beach to avoid the chaos/crowds from the "private" access areas we were allotted (whether at a condo or more recently, house with subdivision entry). The waters here are absolutely beautiful (staying true to its infamous emerald colour) with soft, pearl white sand. There are multiple picnic areas within this state park that let you pack a basket to enjoy lunch or early dinner here. Restroom and shower facilities are also well maintained. My family looks forward to coming back here soon! read more

Henderson Beach State Park - Dusk at Henderson Beach - Beaches Near Me - Destin, Florida

Great beach option for Destin! $4+ entrance fee ($6 for a car with up to 8 people. It's +$2/person over 8 people in a vehicle) Plenty of parking, short walk to the beach. Great spots to wash off at. You can leave and come back if you have your receipt as long as there is parking. read more

Henderson Beach State Park - Beaches Near Me - Destin, Florida

Love, love, love!!! $6 vehicle entrance fee. So worth the admission fee since the beaches are beautiful and not as crowded. I have heard so many Texans rave about the beaches in Destin. I'm so glad we came out here to see these beautiful white beaches and clear waters. Loved this beach. They have a pavilion and restrooms. Showers to wash the sand off. Nice boardwalk to walk down to the beach. Plenty of parking and space on the beach so you can have some privacy. The park is big and offers bicycling, camping, fishing, geocaching, nature trail, picnic areas, wild life viewing, etc Come check this place out. You will not be disappointed at all. read more

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Beautiful beach with large pavilions with bathrooms. Camping with hookups are booked a year in advance so book now! It's a wonderful setting for a wedding. The park charges per carload for entry and closes before sunset each evening. read more

Entrance fee: 6$ Clean, not crowded and very relaxing. Some areas is closed There are areas also for grilling Good to watch the sunset read more

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